The History of Japanese Tattoos
Japanese tattoo art in ancient Japan:
Evidence suggests that Japanese tattoo art extends back as far as 10,000 BC for both decorative and spiritual reasons. The first recorded account of Japanese body art was found in some written Chinese history from about 300 AD. It talked about how the men of all ages inked their faces and bodies with ornate designs. The Chinese records discussed these findings in a negative context since they considered tattooing a sign of uncivilized society and they only used it in their culture as punishment at the time.
By the seventh century, the ruling class of Japan took on the same attitudes as the Chinese and tattooing was considered unfavorable. They started using these skin brands as a form of punishment. For the next several centuries, tattoos evolved into a way to mark criminals and outcasts. Elaborate systems of designs were used to mark the offender with the crime they committed and where they committed the crimes. Inked individuals were ostracized by their families and outcast by society. Tattooing as a form of punishment was eventually replaced with other forms of punishment by the 17th century.
Another set of laws that helped to influence Japanese tattoo art involved the prohibition of the lower classes from wearing the ornate kimonos worn by the elite and ruling classes. So the lower classes began to wear ornate “body suits,” or full body tattoos. They generally covered the body from the neck down to the elbows and just above the knee. This way the commoners could wear ornate designs for themselves and hide them under their commoner clothing. The government outlawed tattoos in 1870 causing tattoo artists to go underground where the art form blossomed in hiding.
Japanese tattoo masters were called “Horis.” They were considered the best in the world at the time with their elaborate and intricate tattoo designs. Tattoos did not become legal in Japan until after World War II. General MacArthur liberalized the Japanese laws, but tattoo artists still work privately by appointment only to this day because of the centuries throughout history of working in the shadows.
Yakuza and the History of Tattoos in Japan
Because of the centuries of using tattoos as a way to mark criminals, the criminal elements of Japanese society adopted tattoos as a badge of honor. They also used ornate and colorful tattoos to hide the tattoos they were given as punishment by the government. Since tattooing is painful, it was seen as a rite of passage into their criminal society. Their tattoos are full body and can take years to complete. It is not uncommon for Yakuza members to remove their shirts when they are playing cards to display their tattoos which are works of body art. Normally, Yakuza keep their ink covered with long sleeves and high necked shirts to conceal their secret in public.
Japanese Tattoo Pictures
The Meanings of Japanese Tattoos
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